Arthropod and helminth parasites of the wild guinea pig, Cavia aperea, from the Andes and the cordillera in Peru, South America.

As part of an ongoing research project concerning the diversity and distribution of parasites of Caviidae in South America, 143 wild guinea pigs (Cavia aperea) were collected from 3 localities in the Andean Highlands of Peru. Samples were collected between November 1996 and May 1999 and included representatives of arthropods, nematodes, and trematodes. Seven species of arthropods: Leptopsylla segnis (27.3%), Tiamastus cavicola (6.9%), Gliricola porcelli (55.2%), Hoplopleura alata (6.9%), Polyplax spinulosa (12.6%), Myobia musculi (1.4%), and Eutrombicula bryanti (49.6%); 4 species of nematodes: Capillaria hepatica (6.9%), Graphidioides mazzai (18.8%), Trichuris gracilis (3.5%), and Paraspirudera uncinata (37%); and a single trematode, Fasciola hepatica (4.2%), were identified.